National
Why Gowon Created First 12 States – IBB
… Discloses how Aburi accord ailed
By Abubakar Yunusa
Former Nigerian Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (retired), has provided fresh insights into the creation of 12 states by then-Head of State Colonel Yakubu Gowon in 1967, a decision aimed at countering the secessionist movement led by Lieutenant Colonel Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
The revelations are detailed in Babangida’s newly released autobiography, A Journey of Service, which was launched on 20 February.
The book offers a firsthand account of key historical events, including the political and military strategies that shaped Nigeria’s history during the Civil War era.
Babangida explains that Gowon’s decision to restructure Nigeria from four regions into 12 states was a direct response to Ojukwu’s declaration of the Republic of Biafra on 30 May 1967.
The move, he says, was intended to weaken the breakaway region’s influence and prevent the country’s disintegration.
Following the declaration, the federal government imposed an embargo on shipping activities to and from Biafra.
” When diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis failed, military action was launched on 6 July 1967, marking the start of the Nigerian Civil War.”
Reflecting on the period, Babangida acknowledges that the Nigerian Army was ill-prepared for full-scale war. Having primarily been involved in peacekeeping missions, the army lacked combat experience.
Furthermore, the military had been significantly weakened by the 1966 coups, which had led to the loss of several trained officers.
He also sheds light on the deep political tensions that contributed to the conflict.
Gowon’s rise to power in 1966, he notes, was contested by Ojukwu, who insisted that Brigadier Babafemi Ogundipe, then the most senior army officer, should have taken charge. This dispute further widened the divisions within the country.
He said in an attempt to ease tensions, Gowon engaged in dialogue with regional leaders and took steps to foster national unity. One such move was the release of Yoruba leader Chief Obafemi Awolowo from prison in August 1966.
” Despite these efforts, violence against Igbos in northern Nigeria persisted, leading to mass displacement and fuelling further unrest.”
Babangida also highlights the failed peace initiatives that followed, including an attempted reconciliation conference brokered by Ghana’s then-Head of State, Lt-General Joseph Arthur Ankrah.
According to him ,the inability to reach a peaceful settlement ultimately led to a prolonged and devastating civil war, which lasted until January 1970.”
By Abubakar Yunusa
The Coordinator of the Conference of Patriotic Nigerians (COPAN), Barrister Uchenna Odieli, has issued a stern warning to the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah, urging him not to allow politicians to manipulate him into targeting Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement sent to Elanza News on Friday night, Odieli, who described himself as a stakeholder in NANS, accused certain individuals of exploiting Isah to tarnish Seyi Tinubu’s reputation for political gain.
“If you contest an election and lose, you should go and rest. You must not be a NANS president,” Odieli said, questioning why Isah was allowing himself to be used to attack “an innocent man” simply because he is the president’s son.
Odieli defended Seyi Tinubu, describing him as a humble, well-mannered lawyer who has been unfairly vilified.
“I know Barr. Seyi Tinubu very well, not through tabloids or whispers, but through shared moments, quiet gestures, and the kind of humanity that doesn’t make the news,” he said.
“He is not perfect; none of us is. He is not a violent man, nor the monster being painted by those too eager to condemn.”
The COPAN coordinator expressed concern over what he described as a pattern of targeting Seyi Tinubu to gain public attention.
“What baffles me is that most of these charlatans do not know Seyi in person. They only see him from afar and have not had the opportunity to meet him one-on-one, but I know their game. Once one wants to be popular, the only gateway is to attack Seyi Tinubu,” Odieli stated.
He called for restraint and urged the public to avoid “mob justice” in judging Seyi Tinubu.
“Justice must be blind, yes, but not deaf to truth or mercy. Let the facts come forth, let the law take its course, but let us not forget that the son of the president is still a son, a brother, and a human being,” Odieli said, appealing for a fair and measured approach.
Odieli further praised Seyi Tinubu’s character, describing him as a “soft-spoken gentleman” trained in the Western world, who strives to maintain dignity despite the pressures of his family name.
“Seyi is a very kind man, well-behaved, well-trained. Violence is not his way, so you should stop pouring your frustration on Seyi,” he added.
It has been a full week of listening to Politricktians struggling to defend the indefensible. I have watched some struggle to present purely self-seeking and egocentric predilections and decisions as altruistic and popular. The usual lie told when politicians decamp from one Party to another was rife in the news-wave. It was repeated every so often they were confronted with ‘why did you decamp to a Party you had mocked and described as soulless and directionless?”. And the lies would come streaming with shameless Olympic stupidity and shenanigans unbridled.
If your reason for moving from the PDP to the APC is to connect Delta State to the Centre ditto to Abuja, who Abuja elp? How has the Partisan affinity or connection with Abuja helped Lagos State? How has it benefitted Benue State? How has it made life better for the people in Bornu State? And how has the lot of the people in Imo State improved? The States here in reference are APC States, and are badly messed up.
Since 1999 Lagos State has never had it so bad, Lagos State for instance fared better when it wasn’t in partisan sync with the centre. No sane person can compare Tinubu’s term as Governor of Lagos State with Sanwo-Olu’s, none can compare Fashola’s, or Ambode’s one term, albeit as opposition Governors with the most lethargic and uneventful watch that Lagos State has produced in the last 26 years Sanwo-Olu’s connect with Abuja notwithstanding. Lagos is presently experiencing it’s worst leadership deficit and lethargy in 26 years, but Sanwo-Olu is not the trust of this piece, so I will let him be, but I shall return to substantiate my position, if his spin-doctors provoke me.
To the States of Bornu, Benue and Imo, the vouched partisan affinity with Abuja is a curse more than a blessing. Bornu and Benue are theatres of unmitigated security challenges. I won’t mention Jos, Plateau so Partisans wouldn’t challenge me that Plateau State is PDP. However, in today’s Nigeria most of the States troubled silly with insecurity are APC States. Human barbecues are dished with reckless abandon by the Haramists and Herders, and Abuja has done little to help, it has been more words and little action. All the people see, read and know is the blood soaked and blood stained mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Party. The APC has failed them like it has failed most Nigerians, so the people who decamped from the PDP to the APC in Delta State should stop telling stupid lies of how a contrived partisan sync with Abuja will benefit Delta State, that na big lie. The truth is that that decision of theirs is absolutely self-seeking, egotistic and individualistic, it was a shenanigans shameless and utterly soulless.
Is Imo an example of a State benefitting from her partisan sync with Abuja? I beg make I laugh small. And to make matters worse they call Governor Hope Uzodinma the Chairman of the Unprogressive, oh sorry, Progressive Governor’s Forum. That means that Hope Uzodinma is the Chairman of the Forum of APC Governors. I beg ask Ndi’Imo how market? Now Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is an APC Governor, and I hear that Pastor Eno of Akwa Ibom is joining soon. If no be craze, how will a Governor wey dey try small go go join Party wey the Governor wey no dey try at all, go be im Chairman? What in today’s Nigeria is testament to the laudable rule of the APC? And why is the APC attractive to the defectors streaming into the Party? I am committed to telling all I know, and more in the sequel to this piece, yes Part 3 dey come.
I am committed to making sure that each of this series is short and reader friendly. However, I will not conclude this without calling out Nigerians to consistently interrogate Public Office Holders and Political Operators, we must understand that eternal vigilance is the price of freedom, and we must refuse to drink from the poisoned chalice of deceit, falsehood, and debauchery that self-serving Politricktians wield. And we must say no to their lies, half truths and mendacity.
Compatriots, those defending the egocentric and self-seeking defection of the Delta State Governor and his Team from the PDP to the APC are smart by half. And to those wondering whether we can effectively organize to stop the rudderless APC, the gail of defections notwithstanding, I bring great hope. Yes, there is enough time to perfect and pull through with the needed coalition to defeat the underperforming APC in 2027. Do not forget that Peter Obi didn’t have a State Governor when the Labour Party won the election in 2023. Tinubu didn’t win the majority of the total votes cast when INEC declared him winner, and having failed, as he continues to outperform Buhari in failure, the hail of defections will only deepen the Tinubu rejection.
Do not forget that Delta State was home to the Obidient Movement in 2023, and still is. Do not also forget that Okowa, Sheriff Oborevwori and the PDP machinery was roundly trounced and defeated by the Obidient Movement/Labour Party at the Presidential polls in Delta State in 2023, and that it took the Obidients rejecting Senator Ovie Omo-agege for Oborevwori to emerge Governor in 2023. May the Proud, the Arrogant and the Boastful use their tongue count their teeth, e no far again.
Delta State in 2027 offers a beautiful turf for the replay of the contest between the Peoples Power, and the Power of the men in power. Indeed, 2027 will be a Ballot Based People’s Revolution deeper and more effective than what happened in 2023. Take note that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC are consistently their own greatest undoing, not with Buhari’s colossal failure becoming Child’s play compared with Tinubu’s uneventful and Olympic failure.
Folks, we shall coalesce and unite to make Tinubu a One-Term President, that’s the least duty we owe Nigeria.
I shall return very soon with Part 3, but before then, please stay safe and protect yourselves, ‘no be me talk am, na one Oga DSS dem say na im talk am.’
God Bless Nigeria.
Prof Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr
Convener COUNTRYFIRST MOVT. A Good Governance Advocacy Group.
The Osun State Chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has expressed deep concern over the welfare of workers in the state, calling on the Osun State Government to prioritize the needs and aspirations of civil servants and public workers.
This was contained in a press statement issued on Thursday by the Chairman of the Party, Wole Adedoyin, and made available to newsmen in Osogbo.
According to the statement, APGA recognizes and appreciates the indispensable role that Osun workers play in the administration and development of the state. Without the hard work, loyalty, and sacrifice of civil servants, governance would grind to a halt, and public service delivery would be severely impaired.
The party noted that while workers across the country face similar challenges, the plight of Osun workers demands special attention. Delayed salaries, pension arrears, poor working environments, and lack of adequate motivation have continued to diminish the morale of workers in the state.
“Osun workers deserve better,” Adedoyin said. “It is unacceptable that in 2025, workers still struggle with irregular salary payments, inadequate housing, and insufficient health coverage. This is a violation of their rights and a breach of trust between the government and its employees.”
APGA called on the state government to implement a comprehensive worker-friendly policy that includes prompt payment of salaries and pensions, professional training opportunities, and improved infrastructure in public offices. According to the party, a motivated workforce is the bedrock of any successful administration.
The party also urged the state government to engage directly with workers’ unions and associations to identify critical areas of need and to ensure a participatory approach to policy-making regarding labor and employment matters.
APGA used the opportunity to salute the resilience and patriotism of Osun workers, especially teachers, health professionals, law enforcement officers, and local government staff, who continue to discharge their duties in the face of adversity. “Your commitment to the state does not go unnoticed,” the statement read.
Wole Adedoyin reaffirmed APGA’s commitment to the protection of workers’ rights, stressing that the party’s philosophy—Be Your Brother and Sister’s Keeper—would remain its guiding principle in standing with the workforce of Osun State.